volunteer opportunities
Each year the Festival needs hundreds of volunteers to provide a great event for our community. Let us know how you can help. Review our volunteer options below and sign up today! You will be added to our volunteer list and contacted by one of our non-profit groups (general festival volunteering) or the Festival (balloon crew volunteering).
Do not sign up here if you are part of a specific pilot’s crew. Please contact the pilot directly to volunteer at our Festival.
Festival volunteer
Numerous non-profit organizations handle operations and it takes a great team of volunteers to support these operations. Festival volunteers should be at least 15 years old and must be able to follow directions for safety purposes.
Parking: Assist with taking payment and directing traffic throughout our Festival parking lot at THS. Shifts begin at 5:00am and end at 10:00pm.
Admissions: Assist with taking payment at one of three admission gates. Shifts begin at 5:00am and end at 10:00pm.
Shuttle Drivers: Drive our golf cart shuttles up and down the hill between the main gate entrance at the top of 92nd Ave. to the main field entrance at Cook Family Park. Drivers must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license.
Festival of Cars: Assist with pre-event promotions, day of event operations (assist with early morning staging area, traffic/safety monitors during load in/set up), and photographer opportunities.
General Festival: Other volunteer opportunities are available as needed including set up and tearing down the Festival.
Balloon Crew
Many of our pilots come from out of town and can't bring their regular crew with them. An average size balloon takes 4-6 people to set up and take down. As a crew member you will assist a pilot with inflations (morning or night glow), tethering, balloon chasing and/or packing up at the end of the flight. If you enjoy watching the balloons take flight, you’ll love this hands-on experience.
Able to follow all pilot directions and adhere to all event rules and guidelines.
Either 18 years of age or older or 15-17 years of age and signed up with a parent.
Physically able to push, pull, or lift at least 20 pounds.
Able to stand for long periods of time.
Punctual and available on days you are crewing.
Do not sign up as a volunteer if you already have a specific pilot you are working with. Please contact them directly.
Balloon Launch Duties: Assist pilot to unpack and set up balloon for flight. Navigate or drive during the balloon chase. Contact the landowner for landing permission. Assist pilot during landing and pack up of the balloon. Hours: 5am – 10am Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Tether Duties: Tether rides stay grounded at Cook Family Park (do not fly) and have several areas of crew volunteer needs. Assist pilot to unpack and set up the balloon, help passengers in and out of the basket for tethered flights, safety crowd control, passenger “risk waiver” signature manager, and assist pilot to pack up the balloon. Hours vary depending on weather and propane Hours: 5am – 10am Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Night Glow: Assist pilot to unpack and set up balloon. Assist with holding guide lines attached to the balloon. Assist with holding down the basket. After the Glow, assist pilot to pack up the balloon. Hours: 8pm – 10:30pm Friday and Saturday.
Night Glow Crowd Control: Monitor the roped off area to keep spectators back from the balloons. Assist pilot to unpack and set up balloon for stagnant display, hold guide lines attached to the balloon, hold down the basket, pedestrian crowd control, post-glow assist pilot to pack up the balloon. Hours vary depending on weather. Hours: 8pm – 10:30pm Friday and Saturday.
Balloon Crew School: No experience is needed. The Crew School will be held the Saturday before the event and is optional, but very useful for anyone wanting to work with the balloons. You can get on the job training from the pilot. We will have instruction and hands-on demonstrations of duties when crewing for a hot air balloon.
Come Prepared: Sturdy shoes/boots, long sleeves, long pants and leather gloves are the recommended attire. It is helpful to dress in layers. Snacks and water will be provided.